“Don’t you dare think that there is anything past or present that I would put in front of you"

[itsnotmymind]

It's not actually true, that speech of Dean's in Sacrifice. It's a retcon. When they were kids and young adults, Dean was completely torn between John and Sam. He didn’t love Sam more than John, and he didn’t value Sam more than John. After the Stanford fight, he chose to stay with John rather than try to reach out to Sam. I don't think it's a coincidence that Dean in the Pilot shoves himself back into Sam's life after John goes missing. Dean's ideal, of course, would be to have Sam and John get along - but he does not consistently put Sam above John.

This changes in S2. Dean's decision to sell his soul for Sam is rightfully seen as very important - but perhaps equally of import is his choice not to do so for John, in Crossroad Blues. Those two decisions mark an essential change in his relationships with and attitudes towards his father and brother.

Comments

[supernutjapan.livejournal.com]

I don't agree that Dean staying with John means that he is putting John over Sam, but putting that aside because I think we've talked about that before, what Dean says here in Sacrifice is in the present tense, so it is still true even if it is retcon. He is talking about what he feels at that point, and not his whole life. The "past or present" part is connected to "anything" and not how long he has felt that way. Interesting though that it's "anything" and not "anyone." So he's not talking about people. He's talking about causes (and possibly material things), which makes sense when we consider that Sam is about to sacrifice his life for the cause.

[itsnotmymind.livejournal.com]

I disagree, given that he had just given "Mom" and "Benny" as examples of things he put after Sam. Interesting that he didn't include "future", though. Leaves the door open.

[supernutjapan.livejournal.com]

OK, you have to look at it all in context. It all starts with Dean saying he needs Sam for the cause:

"DEAN: We have enough knowledge on our side to turn the tide here. But I can't do it without you.

But Sam doesn't think Dean trusts him to be able to do the job - that he trusts others like Benny and Cas more than he trusts Sam. Again this is about the cause and getting the job done, not about loving Benny or Cas more.


"SAM:You can barely do it with me. I mean, you think I screw up everything I try. You think I need a chaperone, remember?

SAM: What happens when you've decided I can't be trusted again? I mean, who are you gonna turn to next time instead of me? Another angel, another -- another vampire? Do you have any idea what it feels like to watch your brother just..."

And then Dean says that he'd rather have Sam than anyone else. That he trusts Sam the most, and he'd rather let go of the cause than lose Sam. Dean mentioning mom has nothing to do with loving Sam over mom. This is about letting the demons go that killed mom - letting the cause go. It's not about whether he loves Benny or Sam, this is about needing Sam for the job as he said above.

"DEAN: Hold on, hold on! You seriously think that? Because none of it -- none of it -- is true. Listen, man, I know we've had our disagreements, okay? Hell, I know I've said some junk that set you back on your heels. But, Sammy...come on. I killed Benny to save you. I'm willing to let this bastard and all the sons of bitches that killed mom walk because of you. Don't you dare think that there is anything, past or present, that I would put in front of you! It has never been like that, ever! I need you to see that. I'm begging you."

Grammar is very important. If Dean says anything, he means anything, not anyone.

Interesting that he didn't include "future", though.
Yes! That is interesting.

[itsnotmymind.livejournal.com]

I think with "anything" he means both "anything" and "anyone" - both the cause, and any person, and anything else.